Wednesday, April 8, 2020 | 12:39 p.m.
Landlords and property managers in North Las Vegas who violate Gov. Steve Sisolak’s moratorium on evictions face fines of up to $1,000 a day, revocation of their business license and up to six months in jail.
The penalties apply to anyone violating an emergency directive during the coronavirus crisis, although the temporary ban on evictions was the main topic of discussion at a special City Council meeting today.
While courts are no longer accepting eviction filings, North Las Vegas city officials said they have received phone calls and reports of tenants being locked out of their homes or their water or electricity shut off.
“This isn’t everyone,” said Councilman Isaac Barron, who represents Ward 1. “We’ve had some bad-actor landlords and property managers who have gone around and tried to find alternative ways to get past the governor's declaration.”
The ordinance passed today apples to commercial and residential properties and does not waive a tenant’s responsibility to pay rent, city officials said.
It also doesn’t prohibit the eviction of a person who endangers others, engages in criminal activity or causes significant damage to the property.
A tenant who tests positive for COVID-19 does not constitute as a danger under the ordinance, City Attorney Micaela R. Moore said.
“This is an emergency measure to get past the very worst,” Barron said, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevents projects a surge in the virus on the next few weeks.
“It’s a temporary measure to stop the spread of coronavirus in North Las Vegas as best we can. That means making sure families don’t get turned to the street,” Barron said.
